Battery-charger apparatus



C. M. ANGELL BATTERY CHARGER APPARATUS July 23, 1929.

Filed July 17, 1926 yEl-WIUFQ Patented July 23, 1929.

UNITED STAT esl PATENT OFFICE..

CHESTER M. .ANGELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO VESTA BATTERYCORPORA- z TION, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS. I

BATTERY-CHARGER APPARATUS.

' Application tiled `uly 17,

This invention relates to battery chargers connnonly known as tricklechargers.

The requisite features of a battery charger are comp'actncss, portabilitsinnihcity, and inexpensive construction, or the advent of the radio hascreated a universal demand for devices of the character mentioned. Numerous types lof chargers have heretofore been proposed, but these havenot proven entirely satisfactory due to their complex construction, lackof portability, and Ahigh costv of manufacture.

One object of the present invention is to simplify and improve theconstruction of devices of thetvpe mentioned.

Another object is to provide an inexpelh si rc, etlicient and portablebattery charger.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure' 1 is a sectional View of a charger embodying features of thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the charger shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a conventional circuit showing a charging circuit.

The device selected for illustration comprises a base, in this instancea transformer rousing 10, constituting a cup vshaped inember stampedAfrom sheet material which ,has mounted therein 'a transformer 11 ofstandardconstruction. The transformer 11 is in- `sulated from thehousing by means of sealing paraiiin 12 or other suitable material whichis poured therein to maintain the transformer in spaced relation to thehousing walls. A closure 13 is secured to the open end of the housing 10in any appropriate manner to sustain the transformer withl the sealingmeans 12 associated therewith.

As shown, the upper face of the housing 10 is depressed to provide aperipheral edge 14 to support and seat a fluid container 15 preferablyof glass which, in the present embodiment consists ofan ordinary Masonjar, having a threaded mouth 16 of standard construction. The mouth ofthe container 15 is provided with a closure 17 composed of any suitableinsulating material which is preferably non-hygroscopic. The closure 17as a recessed portion 18 threaded to correspond with the mouth of thecontainer 16 diagram 1926. Serial No. 123,142.

whereby the former may be removably se cured to the latter in an obviousand well known manner. A lead electrode I9 is suspended within thecontainer 15 from the elosure 17 hy means of a suitable terminal 2o.Another electrode 21 preferably composed of tantalum is also suspendedfrom the closure 17 in spaced relation to the electrode 19, it alsoterminating in a terminal 22 projecting through-the to) of the closure..A depending sleeve 23 of non-comlucting and acid rc- Sisting material issupported m any appropriate manner from the cap 17 to encase theelectrode 2l, the latter terminating at a point below the extremity-"olithe sleeve. Any snitable electrolyte, 26 such as snlphuric acid, is|novidcd in the container 15 so that the depending electrodes 19 and 2lwill be in'nnersed therein. I

A bail 24, in this instance bent from wire to define a U-shaped memberterminating in curved hooks 25, is pivotally'associated with the housing10 so as to selectively clamp the. container 15 to the housing 10,thereby maintaining the parts together in a self-contained unit. Thebail 24 has a depressed portion 7 intermediate the ends thereof toyicldingly engage an arcuate lug 28 formed integral, with the closure 17to make possible a convenient disengagement of the clam p from theclosure to permit dismantling of the unit.. A.

A pair of electrical conductors 29 and 3U project through the housingl() and are properly insulated therefrom by means of the plug 31, theconductors hing connected to the terminals 32 of the primary coil of thetransformer. The secondary of the transformer 11 terminates in a pair ofterminals 33 which project -from and are secured to the wall of thehousing 10 in any appropriate manner. An electrical connection isestablished hetween the electrode 21 and one terminal of the secondary33 through the wire 34. The electrede 19 (Figure 4) isprovided with anelectrical conductor 35 adapted to be connected to the negative terminal36 of the battery to be charged, whereas the positive terminal :$7thereof is connected through a suitable conductor to the other terminal33 of the sccondary of the transformer.

Withthe above described connections, it will be apparent that theconductors 29 and 30 which are connected to an alternating currentsource imprees ulsations designated by'arrows A and B in the rectifyingcircuit,`the former being opposed by the counter electroxnotive forcegenerated by the electrodes 19 and 21, thereby entirely counteractingthecurrent A in the rectifying circuit and only permitting the pulsationsor current flow B to flow in the direction shown. Obviously, the currentpassing through the battery to be charged will flow in one direction,only as indicated by the arrow B thereby charging the saine.A It is tobe noted that the above arrangement of parts provides a very portable,compact, and inexpensive device for the purpose specified. 4

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of theConstruction varied through a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention and I therefore do not purpose limiting thepatent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a self-contained device, a base, a fluid container associated-withsaid base, rectifying means suspended within said container, and a bailpivotally associated with said base to maintain said container on saidbase.

2. In a self contained device, a. base, a

transformer fixed in said base, a duid container havin a threaded mouth,mounted on said base, a t ireaded cap engaging the mouth of saidcontainer, current rectifying meanssuspended from said cap in saidcontainer, a clamp bent from -wirepivotally secured to said base toengage said cap, whereby said container is removably ,associated withsaid base.

3. In a self-contained device, a transformer housing, a fluid containerseparably associated with said housing, clamping means for said fluidcontainer pivotally associated with said housing, and currentrect-ifying means in said container.

4. In a self-contained device,'a transformer housing, a transformer insaid housing, a fluid container removablyn associated with said housing,a Aclosure for said container, rectifying means in said containersuspended from said closure, and a bail passing around said closure andpivotally connected to said housing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed .my name.

CHESTER M. ANGELL.

